Drought response of upland oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> L.) species in Appalachian hardwood forests of the southeastern USA

Key message

In Appalachian hardwood forests, density, stem size, and productivity affected growth during drought for red oak, but not white oak species. Minor effects of density suggest that a single low thinning does little to promote drought resilience for oaks in the region.

Context

Management is increasingly focused on promoting resilience to disturbance. Because stand density can modulate climate-growth relationships, thinning may be an adaptation strategy that promotes resistance/resilience to drought.

Aims

We examined how density, manipulated via thinning, stem size, and site productivity, influences the drought response of northern red, black, chestnut, and white oak.

Methods

We modeled the role of density, stem size, and site productivity on resistance, recovery, and resilience during two drought events.

Results

Chestnut and white oak displayed greater resistance, recovery, and/or resilience than did northern red and black oak. For black oak, density and stem size negatively affected resistance during the first and second drought, respectively. Density, stem size, and site productivity had no effect on chestnut and white oak.

Conclusion

The lack of sensitivity of chestnut and white oak to the ranges of density, stem size, and site productivity observed in this study and generally better resistance, recovery, and resilience suggests that management focused on the maintenance of these species, as opposed to a single silvicultural low thinning, may be a possible strategy for sustaining the growth and productivity of oak species in Appalachian hardwood stands. Drought response as affected by alternative thinning interventions should be evaluated.

     

A suggested approach for design of oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> L.) regeneration research considering regional differences

Research on oak (Quercus L.) regeneration has generally consisted of small-scale studies of treatments designed to favor oak, including consideration of site quality and topographic effects on oak regeneration. However, these experiments have not consistently factored in broader-scale ecological differences found in the eastern United States. Oak regeneration experiments should be replicated at appropriate ecological scales to address the similarities and differences in regeneration following prescribed silvicultural treatments among ecological units. Patterns in oak regeneration can be better understood in an ecological context by considering how oak species interact in the differing physical environments and are able to maintain dominance in changing complexes of competing vegetation among the selected eco-units. Our understanding of oak regeneration response to specific silvicultural practices and our ability to model regeneration is improved when we use replication, blocking, or factorial deployment of relatively small-scale (0.5–1.0 ha) treatment plots within an ecological classification system. We present an example of this approach to understanding oak regeneration dynamics in a synthesis of research to regenerate northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) by underplanting shelterwoods in Arkansas, Missouri and Indiana. We summarize important considerations to guide the design of future research in oak regeneration. Paul S. Johnson and David L. Graney—Retired U.S. Forest Service scientists.     

Morphological characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">variabilis</Emphasis> charcoal prepared at different temperatures

The morphology of charcoals was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Charcoal of Quercus variabilis was prepared in an electric furnace under nitrogen gas atmosphere at 400, 600, 800 and 1,000°C. Charring temperature greatly affects the structure of charcoal. In charcoal prepared at 400°C, most of the morphological characteristics remained relatively unchanged with the exception of the cell-wall layering. The cell walls appeared homogenous and glass-like. Above 400°C, there was an increase in cell-wall thinning and volumetric shrinkage with an increase in the charring temperature. These two factors were responsible for most of the observed changes in structure. Fracture surfaces became increasingly rough and disrupted. Vessel elements were increasingly distorted and tyloses disintegrated with increases in temperature. Parenchyma cells exhibited greater shrinkage except at the pits. This resulted in the appearance of distinctive small protuberances over the surface of the parenchyma cells. Rhomboidal calcium crystals were found to be abundant at all the temperatures studied, but at 800 and 1,000°C the crystals had a sponge-like appearance.     

Leaf-level responses to light in two co-occurring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus ilex</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus suber</Emphasis>): leaf structure,chemical composition and photosynthesis

We studied morphological, biochemical and physiological leaf acclimation to incident Photon-Photosynthetic-Flux-Density (PPFD) in Quercus ilex (holm oak) and Quercus suber (cork oak) at Mediterranean evergreen oak woodlands of southern Portugal. Specific leaf area (SLA) decreased exponentially with increasing PPFD in both species. Q. ilex had lower SLA values than Q. suber. Leaf nitrogen, cellulose and lignin concentration (leaf area-based) scaled positively with PPFD. Maximum rate of carboxylation (V_cmax), capacity for maximum photosynthetic electron transport (J_max), rate of triose-P utilization (V_TPU) and the rate of nonphotorespiratory light respiration (Rd) were also positively correlated with PPFD in both Quercus species, when expressed in leaf area but not on leaf mass basis. Q suber showed to have higher photosynthetic potential (V_cmax, J_max^m and V_TPU^m) and a higher nitrogen efficient nitrogen use than Q.ilex. Leaf chlorophyll concentration increased with decreasing PPFD, improving apparent quantum use efficiency (Φ) in both Quercus species. We concluded that, in Q.ilex and Q.suber, leaf structural plasticity is a stronger determinant for leaf acclimation to PPFD than biochemical and physiological plasticity.     

The effects of chemical components and particle size on the mechanical properties of binderless boards made from oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> spp.) logs degraded by shiitake fungi <Emphasis Type="Italic">(Lentinula edodes</Emphasis>)

Binderless boards are composite boards that rely on self-bonding mechanisms for inter-fibre bonding. Quercus acutissima and Quercus serrata logs degraded by Lentinula edodes (shiitake fungi) were used in this study to investigate whether physical and chemical changes induced by shiitake fungi can enhance board mechanical properties. Binderless boards were manufactured with 0.8 g/cm³ target density, 220 °C pressing temperature, 5 MPa pressure, and pressing duration of 10 min. Boards made from logs degraded for ≥?26 months were stronger than control boards and met modulus of rupture (MOR) and internal bonding (IB) requirements for fibreboards. Chemical composition and particle size distribution of the wood powder used to make the boards were determined to elucidate the drivers of board mechanical properties. The proportion of small particles (<?150 µm) showed a strong positive correlation with MOR for both species and hot water extractives showed a strong positive correlation with IB for Q. acutissima boards. Introduction of shiitake fungi pre-treatment to the production process may enhance the mechanical strength of binderless boards.     

Characterization and identification of leaf morphology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus deltoides</Emphasis> Bartr. clones

Leaves are of fundamental importance to plants, representing their facility to generate power and are the sensing units of plants towards the environment. An attempt was made to characterize and compare the variations of leaf morphology of various Populus deltoides Bartr. clones by studying the winter buds and other leaf parameters of fully developed leaves. To achieve these objectives, forty-three exotic and indigenous clones of P. deltoides Bartr. were evaluated for different parameters. On the basis of various morphological characteristics the results reveal that each clone has a distinct color pattern of leaves. Different colors observed in these clones varied from light green through green to dark green. Two distinct lengths of the leaf apex were found, i.e., short and long; as well both acuminate and acute apex types were found. Erratic distribution of serration of leaves was also found. In this study, the morphological traits of leaves provided discriminatory grounds for separating various populations of P. deltoides Bartr. clones. Winter bud studies indicate that different clones vary considerably with regard to shape, color, shape of leaf scars and exudation.     

Spatial pattern of beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis> L.) and oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus pubescens</Emphasis> Mill.) seedlings in natural pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.) woodlands

Spatial pattern of recruitment is an important factor influencing population dynamics of plant communities. The spatial pattern is determined by seed dispersal and by the spatial variability of germination and initial survival. In the process of forest expansion following farmland abandonment, mid- and late-successional species are often dispersed in pioneer forests by birds. This could result in an aggregated spatial pattern of seeds that could influence the dynamics of these species in mixed pioneer forests. In the sub-Mediterranean area, mid- and late-successional species such as Quercus pubescens (downy oak) and Fagus sylvatica (European beech) are expected to replace pioneer Pinus species. Using a point sampling method we demonstrated that beech and oak seedlings (height <2 m) have a clumped distribution in the understorey of pine. This could result from an aggregated dispersal by jays (dispersal effect) or from preferential recruitment in particular habitats (habitat effect). To test these hypotheses we proposed a statistical analysis of spatial patterns of regeneration of beech and oak. Ground cover variables (i.e. cover by rock outcrops, herbs, box shrubs, mosses or pine) did not differ significantly around seedlings as compared with random sample plots. Likewise, clumped seedlings had growth similar to isolated seedlings, thus refuting the hypothesis of preferential location in the most favourable microsites. Aggregated dispersal seems to be involved in the process of regeneration. Since beech and oak seedlings have contrasting ecological demands, we discuss the implication of this pattern for the replacement dynamics of pine by these species.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophiostoma</Emphasis> species associated with bark beetles infesting three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies</Emphasis> species in Nikko,Japan

Ophiostoma species were isolated from bark beetles and Abies mariesii, A. veitchii and A. homolepis attacked by the beetles in Nikko, Tochigi, central Honshu, Japan. One to two Ophiostoma species were frequently isolated from each species of bark beetle. Ophiostoma subalpinum was the most common associate of Cryphalus montanus. Ophiostoma sp. B as well as O. subalpinum was a common fungus associated with Polygraphus proximus. Ophiostoma europhioides was isolated from Dryocoetes hectographus and D. autographus as one of the common associates. Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S were frequently isolated from D. autographus and D. striatus, respectively. These fungi seem to have specific relationships with particular bark beetles. Ophiostoma sp. B, Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S have unique morphological characteristics and appear to be new species. Five trees of A. veitchii, approximately 43 years old, were inoculated with five Ophiostoma species to assess the relative virulence of the fungi. Ophiostoma subalpinum, Ophiostoma sp. B, and O. europhioides had relatively higher virulence than the other species studied.     

Spatio-temporal heterogeneity effects on seedling growth and establishment in four <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> species

Introduction   

The great spatial and temporal heterogeneity of Mediterranean ecosystems can influence establishment success in woody species, whose natural regeneration occurs to a very small extent. In this work, the effect of the spatial pattern of environmental variables (light availability, soil moisture and herbaceous production) on seedling emergence, growth, survival and establishment success was examined by using a spatially explicit approach.     

Flammability of some companion species in cork oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus suber</Emphasis> L.) forests

Key message

The high flammability of some companion species in Quercus suber forests, estimated in laboratory tests, could potentially generate an increase in fire vulnerability and in fire risk.

Context

Recurrent wildfire is one of the main causes of forest degradation, especially in the Mediterranean region. Increased fire frequency and severity due to global change could reduce the natural resilience of cork oak to wildfire in the future. Hence, it is important to evaluate the flammability of companion species in cork oak forests in the particularly dry bioclimatic conditions of North Africa.

Aims

This study aimed to assess and compare flammability parameters at laboratory scale among ten companion frequent species in cork oak forests.

Methods

Fuel samples were collected in a cork oak (Quercus suber L) forest in the southern part of the mountains of Tlemcen (Western Algeria). A series of flammability tests were carried out using a Mass Loss Calorimeter device (FTT ®). A cluster analysis to classify flammability of the selected species was conducted using the K-means algorithm.

Results

The results revealed differences in the four flammability parameters (ignitability, sustainability, combustibility and consumability), in both fresh and dried fine fuel samples from Quercus suber, Pinus halepensis, Quercus ilex, Quercus faginea, Erica arborea, Arbutus unedo, Pistacia lentiscus, Calicotome spinosa, Juniperus oxycedrus and Tetraclinis articulata. Application of the K-means clustering algorithm showed that C. spinosa, T. articulata, J. oxycedrus and P. halepensis are highly flammable because of their high combustibility and sustainability.

Conclusion

The findings identify species that could potentially increase the vulnerability of cork oak forests to forest fires.

     

Phoretic mites of three bark beetles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pityokteines</Emphasis> spp.) on Silver fir

The species composition and abundance of phoretic mites of the bark beetles Pityokteines curvidens, P. spinidens, and P. vorontzowi on Silver fir (Abies alba) were investigated in 2003 at two locations (Trakoscan and Litoric) in Croatia. Stem sections and branches from A. alba trees infested by Pityokteines ssp. were collected and incubated in rearing cages. Bark beetles emerging from the stem sections and branches were examined for photetic mites. A total of ten mite species were documented for the first time as associates of Pityokteines spp. on A. alba. These included Dendrolaelaps quadrisetus, Ereynetes scutulis, Histiostoma piceae, Paraleius leontonychus, Pleuronectocelaeno japonica, Proctolaelaps hystricoides, Schizostethus simulatrix, Tarsonemus minimax, Trichouropoda lamellose, and Uroobovella ipidis. T. minimax was the most frequent phoretic mite of all the three scolytines and U. ipidis was also common, whereas, the other mite species occurred less frequently. The species spectrum and relative abundance of mite associates were similar for all three Pityokteines species. Another species, Pleuronectocelaeno barbara was commonly found phoretic on P. curvidens, captured in pheromone traps in 2005 at the location Litoric. Furthermore, two previously collected mite specimens from Switzerland, phoretic on P. curvidens, were identified as Nanacarus sp. and Bonomia sp. The records from Croatia and Switzerland in the present study increase the number of known mite associates of Pityokteines spp. from one previously documented species to 14 species. None of the phoretic mites found in the survey in Croatia appear to have the potential to be used for biological control of Pityokteines spp., although the feeding habits are unknown for many species recorded.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> morphogenic response of leaf sheath of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllostachys bambusoides</Emphasis>

Nodal segments from secondary branches of saplings of Phyllostachys bambusoides were inoculated in MS medium to assess the in vitro morphogenic response of leaf sheath through the induction to callogenesis by Picloram(4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) at different concentrations of carbohydrate under the same conditions with presence or absence of luminosity.In our experiment,secondary explants were kept in MS medium containing 8.0 mg·L-1 of Picloram for the callus formation.Calluses were transferred in MS medium supplemented with sucrose,fructose and glucose(control,2%,4% and 6%).Results show that Picloram induced the callogenesis in leaf sheath.The secondary embryogenesis was formed in yellow-globular callus.The sucrose as carbohydrate source in the absence of light was more efficient to induce rhizogenesis.Glucose was more efficiency in the presence of light.Callogenic induction and further embryogenesis evidenced the competence and determination of leaf sheath cells.     

ISSR and SSR markers reveal sex-specific DNA sequences in three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calamus</Emphasis> species from India

Calamus species yields the raw materials for the cane industry. However, the extraction of the cane from the forests is being carried out indiscriminately without considering the sustenance of the species. Plants of both sexes should co-exist for reproductive success. The sex of Calamus plants can be identified only after flowering and hence proper planning of managed forestry practices cannot be accomplished. A study was carried out in this background and male specific ISSR markers for C. tenuis and C. flagellum and SSR markers for C. thwaitesii were identified. The diagnostic potential of these markers can be exploited to sex the Calamus species at the seedling stage for proper breeding and agroforestry management.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of cork oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus suber</Emphasis> L.) somatic embryos

A simple method is presented for the unreported genetic transformation of cork oak (Quercus suber L.). Pro-embryo masses (PEMs) were induced on immature zygotic embryos applied to medium supplemented with 2.3 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The established PEMs were inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404/p35S GUS INT/pCAMBIA 1301 strain. Transformants were selected on hygromycin (HYG) 94 M-supplemented medium. Viable embryos constituted 13% of those selected on HYG during 4 months. Expression of -glucuronidase at 4 months following co-cultivation confirmed transformation in 5.8% embryos selected on HYG. This method forms a basis for genetic transformation of cork oak somatic embryos.     

Feeding performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostera fulgurita</Emphasis> on three clones of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus deltoides</Emphasis>

Poplar leaf defoliator, Clostera fulgurita (Walker) larvae were reared on three Populus deltoides clones (PL1, PL5 and PL7) in the laboratory. The nutritional indices were computed for working out the relationship between food consumption and growth rate of 3rd, 4th and 5th instar larvae on three clones. The result showed that the consumption index (CI), approximate digestibility (AD), growth rate (GR), relative growth rate (RGR) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) decreased with the increase in the age of the larvae. Efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) increased with increase in age of the larvae. GR and RGR varied significantly, indicating that larval development was enhanced on PL1 as compared to PL5 & PL7. The values of AD, ECI and ECD were not affected by the different clones. Feeding and growth indices could be useful to define a defoliation prediction model.     

Successful <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus tomentosa</Emphasis> with apple <Emphasis Type="Italic">SPDS</Emphasis> gene

The problem of salinized soils has become one of the most serious constraints to agricultural and forest productivity. With the purpose of enhancing salt stress tolerance of Populus tomentosa, we transformed this tree species with spermidine synthase （SPDS） genes derived from an apple by an Agrobacterium-mediated method. Four transgenic clones were confu＇med by PCR and Southern blot analysis. As well, the expression of introduced SPDS genes was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR.     

Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistacia</Emphasis> species revealed by <Emphasis Type="Italic">phenylalanine ammonia</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">lyase</Emphasis> gene markers and implications for conservation

Information on population genetic structure and crop genetic diversity is important for genetically improving crop species and conserving threatened species. The PAL gene sequence is part of a multigene family that can be utilized to design DNA marker systems for genetic diversity and population structure investigation. In the current study, genetic diversity and population structure of 100 accessions of wild Pistacia species were investigated with 78 PAL markers. A protocol for using PAL sequences as DNA markers was developed. A total of 313 PAL loci were recognized, showing 100% polymorphism for PAL markers. The PAL markers produced relatively more observed and effective alleles in Pistacia falcata and Pistacia atlantica, with a higher Shannon’s information index and expected heterozygosity in P. atlantica, Pistacia vera and Pistacia mutica. Pairwise assessment of Nei’s genetic distance and genetic identity between populations revealed a close association between geographically isolated populations of Pistacia khinjuk and Pistacia chinensis. The accessions of wild Pistacia species had more genetic relationship among studied groups of species. Analysis of molecular variance indicated 19% among-population variation and 81% within-population variation for the PAL gene based DNA marker. Population structure analysis based on PAL revealed four groups with high genetic admixture among populations. The results establish PAL markers as a functional DNA marker system and provide important genetic information about accessions from wild populations of Pistacia species.     

Nutrient dynamics associated with leaf litter decomposition of three agroforestry tree species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica,Dalbergia sissoo</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melia azedarach</Emphasis>) of Bangladesh

Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., and Melia azedarach L. are little studied species in nutrient return capabili- ties from leaf litter decomposition to maintenance of the soil fertility despite their importance in agroforestry practices of Bangladesh. A leaf litter decomposition experiment was conducted using a litterbag tech- nique to assess the nutrient return efficiency of these species. The de- composition rate of leaf litter was highest for M. azedarach and lowest for D. sissoo. Rainfall and temperature of study sites showed a signifi- cant (p<0.05) positive relationship with the rate of leaf litter decomposi- tion. The highest decay constant was observed for M. azedarach (6.67). Nitrogen and Phosphorus concentration in leaf litter showed a decreased trend sharply at the end of the first month, whereas rapid decrease of Potassium concentration was reported within 10 days. Conversely, higher concentration of nutrient was observed at the later stages of decomposi- tion. All three species showed a similar pattern of nutrient release (K > N > P) during the decomposition process of leaf litter. Among the studied species, D. sissoo was best in terms of N and P return and A. indica was best in terms of K return.